Donnie Moore, a Holly Hill commissioner, says he will be vindicated in eligibility dispute

Published: Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 5, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

HOLLY HILL — City Commissioner Donnie Moore stretched his legs out onto the coffee table in front of his couch at his 1585 Riverside Drive apartment.

He looked over into his bedroom at the other end of the space, which overlooks the Halifax River. Moore says the view gives him peace during a time that has been anything but.

“Have I been hiding something? You're damn right I was,” he said. “I was hiding my personal life.”

For the last month, the two-term commissioner has been deflecting questions about his residency and eligibility to serve the city, where the charter requires commissioners to live in Holly Hill and be a qualified elector.

The questions prompted a lawsuit seeking to remove Moore from his seat and an investigation by the Volusia County supervisor of elections and the State Attorney's Office into whether Moore voted illegally in the 2012 elections.

Moore, 45, a Daytona Beach firefighter who has been battling blazes for most of his adult life, now hopes to extinguish the one threatening his political career by speaking on a topic he had hoped to keep private.

The truth, Moore said, is he has been separated since 2011 from his wife, who's been living in the family's Lake County home while Moore stayed at their Holly Hill address.

“I've tried to be transparent and up front,” he said. “When you're in this position and you're trying to protect your family, it's tough.”

At the beginning of July, The News-Journal reported that Moore had signed a Volusia County Schools affidavit stating he and his children were living in Ormond Beach after he sold his home in May to Massachusetts resident Richard Berggren.

Moore said he had planned to say something at a commission meeting in May, but “I forgot and didn't say anything.”

It wasn't long after Moore sold the house that he was back living on the property in a second-floor apartment, he said. Last week, he provided a lease agreement with Berggren that shows Moore started on June 1 renting the apartment — complete with a kitchenette, dining room, bathroom and hamper with dirty laundry. Reached by phone, the new owner confirmed Moore's claim.

After hearing about Moore's claim, one of the three citizens behind the lawsuit said it might not have been filed if Moore had spoken up sooner.

“Why didn't he want to tell the truth?” said former County Councilman and radio talk show host Big John.

Commissioners have largely avoided the issue.

Commissioner Penny Currie said she would take the new information under advisement. But she also said the city charter is clear about the requirements to be commissioner.

“It's very unfortunate that there's been what people have called a ‘witch hunt,'” she said. “I feel bad that he's gotten jammed up in this, but the charter says what it says.”

Without speaking specifically to the issue, Mayor Roy Johnson said he believed it's best to be up front about things.

“I try to let people know what's going on and that works for me,” he said.

That's what Moore is trying to do now.

Elections Supervisor Ann McFall closed her investigation after Moore informed her office he is living in Holly Hill. He said he has also been in contact with the State Attorney's Office.

Moore said he is at peace because he believes he didn't do anything wrong.

<span class="Dateline">HOLLY HILL —</span> City Commissioner Donnie Moore stretched his legs out onto the coffee table in front of his couch at his 1585 Riverside Drive apartment.<br/><br/>He looked over into his bedroom at the other end of the space, which overlooks the Halifax River. Moore says the view gives him peace during a time that has been anything but.<br/><br/>“Have I been hiding something? You're damn right I was,” he said. “I was hiding my personal life.”<br/><br/>For the last month, the two-term commissioner has been deflecting questions about his residency and eligibility to serve the city, where the charter requires commissioners to live in Holly Hill and be a qualified elector. <br/><br/>The questions prompted a lawsuit seeking to remove Moore from his seat and an investigation by the Volusia County supervisor of elections and the State Attorney's Office into whether Moore voted illegally in the 2012 elections.<br/><br/>Moore, 45, a Daytona Beach firefighter who has been battling blazes for most of his adult life, now hopes to extinguish the one threatening his political career by speaking on a topic he had hoped to keep private. <br/><br/>The truth, Moore said, is he has been separated since 2011 from his wife, who's been living in the family's Lake County home while Moore stayed at their Holly Hill address.<br/><br/>“I've tried to be transparent and up front,” he said. “When you're in this position and you're trying to protect your family, it's tough.”<br/><br/>At the beginning of July, The News-Journal reported that Moore had signed a Volusia County Schools affidavit stating he and his children were living in Ormond Beach after he sold his home in May to Massachusetts resident Richard Berggren.<br/><br/>Moore said he had planned to say something at a commission meeting in May, but “I forgot and didn't say anything.”<br/><br/>It wasn't long after Moore sold the house that he was back living on the property in a second-floor apartment, he said. Last week, he provided a lease agreement with Berggren that shows Moore started on June 1 renting the apartment — complete with a kitchenette, dining room, bathroom and hamper with dirty laundry. Reached by phone, the new owner confirmed Moore's claim.<br/><br/>After hearing about Moore's claim, one of the three citizens behind the lawsuit said it might not have been filed if Moore had spoken up sooner. <br/><br/>“Why didn't he want to tell the truth?” said former County Councilman and radio talk show host Big John.<br/><br/>Commissioners have largely avoided the issue.<br/><br/>Commissioner Penny Currie said she would take the new information under advisement. But she also said the city charter is clear about the requirements to be commissioner.<br/><br/>“It's very unfortunate that there's been what people have called a 'witch hunt,'” she said. “I feel bad that he's gotten jammed up in this, but the charter says what it says.”<br/><br/>Without speaking specifically to the issue, Mayor Roy Johnson said he believed it's best to be up front about things.<br/><br/>“I try to let people know what's going on and that works for me,” he said.<br/><br/>That's what Moore is trying to do now.<br/><br/>Elections Supervisor Ann McFall closed her investigation after Moore informed her office he is living in Holly Hill. He said he has also been in contact with the State Attorney's Office. <br/><br/>Moore said he is at peace because he believes he didn't do anything wrong.<br/><br/>“In the end,” he said, “I will be vindicated.”